What a Warm Winter Might Mean for Insects

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Will a warmer than normal Winter bring more bugs this Summer?

Professor of Biology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Robert Marquis says the obvious prediction is that there will be more insects and they will come out earlier, but there are other scenarios to consider.

Should there be a hard freeze later, like in 2007, many could be killed. And should there be a cold snap later when the leaves are on the trees, that could cripple the insect population for lack of food.

But he adds , they’re all pretty hardy, in fact a lot of insects actually need a cold snap to develop, so don’t count on that.

And mosquitoes he says will survive. Professor Marquis says their numbers will depend on the availability of standing water.